Read More

The GMB union said that despite "significant" growth, Diageo is targeting savings of £30 million a year from its workers' pensions by closing its final salary scheme and also a so-called "lifestyle" plan to new entrants.

Members of the GMB in Diageo's Scottish operations, including bottling plants at Leven and Shieldhall and distilleries across the country, backed walkouts by 63 per cent and other forms of industrial action by 69.7 per cent.

Unite members voted 82 per cent in favour of industrial action short of a strike, and 77 per cent in favour of strike action.

GMB Scotland organiser Louise Gilmour said: "Our members have sent a strong message to Diageo that the company needs to think again if it wants to avoid damaging strikes across Scotland.

"Diageo is happy to significantly increase executive pay in the wake of billions of pounds of profit but they won't protect the pensions of the workforce who have contributed massively towards the success of the business.

"It's another example of the obscene disparity between executive pay and the ordinary worker and if there is one company that can most certainly afford to sustain decent pension arrangements for its workers then it's Diageo.

"It's a question of fairness and Diageo can clearly go further to protect the pensions of their workers."